Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A securement device to make it much easier for a user to securely hold
onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic
reader, a tablet computing device, a cellular phone, a personal data
assistant, and a common clipboard--while minimizing the fatigue and
discomfort on the user's hands: A typical device solves this problem by
providing a system of one or more finger holds formed with a fabric or
pliable material that are disposed on the back side of the personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In many devices, the position and fit of
the finger holds are easily adjustable by a user via hook-and-loop
schemes.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a
user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially
planar portion on its back surface, comprising: a back-panel coupling
member configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface
on a personal tablet-shaped device; and at least one finger-grip member
configured for detachable coupling to said back-panel coupling member,
wherein: said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to
detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, said at least one
finger-grip member is comprised of multiple finger-receiving apertures
made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving
apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of
said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably
couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate
opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate, said
intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material
substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to
distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate
adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, each of
said finger-grip member's set of finger-receiving apertures is oriented
such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is
substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said
personal tablet-shaped device, each of said finger-grip member's set of
finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each
other, each of said finger-grip member's set of finger-receiving
apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user
hand, said at least one finger-grip member can be detachably coupled to
said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative
to a substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped
device, and said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to
securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to
consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detachable coupling between
said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member
is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling,
mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said detachable coupling between
said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member
is a hook-and-loop coupling; said back-panel coupling member's detachable
coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and said
at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the
"hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said back-panel coupling member is
comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can
act as a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said looped aperture is adapted
to receive only one user finger.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each at least one finger-grip member
has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably
fitted to a user finger.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: said at least one said
finger-receiving aperture is defined by a strap of material that is
fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on
one side, and has a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other
side; and said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized
aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said "loop" part of said
strap to a portion of said "hook" part of said strap.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user
to hold a personal tablet-shaped device selected from the group
consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data
assistants, and clipboards.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user
to hold a personal tablet-shaped device that is at least partially
encased within a protective covering.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said protective covering is
substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting
of plastic, rubber, and silicone.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said back-panel coupling member is
configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a
personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of
a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal
tablet-shaped device.

12. A method of making an apparatus for securely holding a personal
tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device
having a substantially planar portion on its back surface, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a back-panel coupling member
configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a
personal tablet-shaped device; and providing at least one finger-grip
member configured for detachable coupling to said back-panel coupling
member, wherein: said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate
adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, said at
least one finger-grip member is comprised of multiple finger-receiving
apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said
finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure
attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said
substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling
member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling
interface of said substrate, said intermittent secure attachment of said
pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially
sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user
fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said
back-panel coupling member, each of said finger-grip member's set of
finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of
each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said
substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of finger-receiving apertures are
generally aligned in parallel with each other, each of said finger-grip
member's set of finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage
one or more user fingers on a user hand, said at least one finger-grip
member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a
user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back
surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and said snuggly
engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal
tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said
personal tablet-shaped device.

13. A method of using an apparatus for securely holding said personal
tablet-shaped device in a user's hand according to claim 1 that is
installed on a personal tablet-shaped device, the method comprising the
steps of: obtaining a personal tablet-shaped device equipped with an
apparatus for securely holding said personal tablet-shaped device in a
user's hand according to claim 1; inserting at least one finger of the
user's hand into one of said at least one finger-receiving apertures
disposed within said at least one finger-grip members; and holding said
personal tablet-shaped device without needing to grip said personal
tablet-shaped device using the user's opposing thumb.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of adjusting the
placement of said back-panel coupling member according to the user's
preference.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step for inserting at least one
finger of the user's hand is applied to the user's right hand, as
inserted into a first finger-grip member, and is applied to the user's
left hand, as inserted into a second finger-grip member.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of, before the
inserting step, adjusting the position of said at least one finger-grip
member on said back-panel coupling member according to the user's
preference and comfort.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said securing apparatus further
incorporates the limitations of claim 6, and further comprising the step
of adjusting the fit of at least one finger-grip member looped aperture
over at least one user finger.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is
selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet
computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.

19. A securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device, comprising a
personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on
its back surface; a back-panel coupling member attached to said
substantially planar back surface on said personal tablet-shaped device;
and at least one finger-grip member detachably coupled to said back-panel
coupling member, wherein: said at least one finger-grip member has a
substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling
member, said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of multiple
finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and
said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure
attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said
substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling
member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling
interface of said substrate, said intermittent secure attachment of said
pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially
sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user
fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said
back-panel coupling member, each of said finger-grip member's set of
finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of
each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said
substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of finger-receiving apertures are
generally aligned in parallel with each other, each of said finger-grip
member's set of finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage
one or more user fingers on a user hand, said at least one finger-grip
member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a
user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back
surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and said snuggly
engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal
tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said
personal tablet-shaped device.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is
selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet
computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/394,483, filed on Mar. 6, 2012, for "Holding Aid
for a Personal, Hand-Held, Tablet-Shaped Device and Methods of Use",
which is the U.S. National-Stage Entry for Patent Cooperation Treaty
(PCT) Application No. PCT/US2011/027742, filed on Mar. 9, 2011, for
"Holding Aid for a Personal, Hand-Held, Tablet-Shaped Device and Methods
of Use", and for which the present patent application also claims the
benefit. Further, the present patent application incorporates by
reference both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/394,483 and PCT
Application No. PCT/US2011/027742 in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The marketplace has seen the proliferation of many types of
personal, hand-held, electronic devices over the last decade or so. Such
devices are typically thin and tablet-shaped, and include the popular
electronic readers (so-called "e-readers"), such as the Amazon
Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony eReader®. Other
similar devices include new versions of tablet computers such as the
Apple iPad®, Google Android®, and many other related devices in
an ever-expanding market. A primary and very popular use for these types
of personal electronic devices is to display and read electronic books in
lieu of a traditional bound, typeset book. In addition, most of these
types of devices also support the display and viewing of various other
types of media; e.g., photos, web pages, video, etc.

[0003] The manufacturers of such personal, hand-held, electronic devices
generally try to design them to be fairly thin and relatively
light-weight so that users are not overly burdened to store, carry, and
hold the devices. Nevertheless, a typical user may spend many hours
reading in a given setting, such as relaxing to read while in a reclining
chair or bed, and often finds it uncomfortable to have to grip the device
over such a long period of time due to fatigue or even cramping. In
addition, users often find themselves needing to do other things; e.g.,
moving around, getting a cup of coffee, etc.; and can find themselves
inadvertently fumbling with their hand-held tablet-shaped device and/or
dropping the device altogether. Similarly, if a user chooses to try and
hold such a device without gripping it, and instead merely balance it on
the user's hand(s), that can prove to be taxing on a user over an
extended period of time as well.

[0004] There are devices known for assisting a user in the holding of a
book, a clipboard, and the like, in settings where there is no readily
available platform such as a podium or table to conveniently set down the
book or clipboard while reading from it. Many of those solutions are
directed to detachably mounting the book or tablet-shaped item onto some
sort of fixed structure to free a user's hands during use. In other
solutions that are specifically directed to a traditional book, a strap
is provided along the spine of the book for a user to slip his or her
hand through such that the spine of the book rests in the palm of the
user hand while the strap exerts pressure on the back side of the user's
hand to allow the user to hold the book without much effort. This latter
solution is somewhat impractical to employ for a personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped electronic device, and the security of the user's hold on
the device is not optimum, especially when one considers the monetary
investment made to obtain the electronic device in the first place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the back-panel side of a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device, such as an e-reader, to which is
attached a pair of back-panel coupling members, each of which is
comprised of an adhesively attached strip for secure attachment to the
back panel of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. The outer
side of each back-panel coupling member comprises one mating part of
coupling system for coupling with a finger-grip member. Often this
coupling system is hook-and-loop coupling system. Each finger-grip member
that is coupled to its respective back-panel coupling member has at least
one aperture adapted for receiving a user finger.

[0006]FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the back-panel side of a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device, such as an e-reader, to which is
attached a plurality of back-panel coupling members that forms one big
back-panel coupling member, each of which is comprised of an adhesively
attached strip for secure attachment to the back panel of the personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In a variation, instead of being a
plurality of such strips, the back-panel coupling member can be a single
wide mat of the same material. The outer side of the back-panel coupling
member comprises one mating part of coupling system for coupling with one
or more finger-grip members. Often this coupling system is hook-and-loop
coupling system. Each finger-grip member that is coupled to the
back-panel coupling member has at least one aperture adapted for
receiving a user finger.

[0007]FIG. 3 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, this figure also
shows an example of the engagement of one of the finger-grip members with
four fingers of a user hand.

[0008]FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the front view of same embodiment
shown in FIG. 3.

[0009]FIG. 5 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1, except that one of the
finger-grip members is shown detached from its back-panel coupling member
and flipped over in order to show the finger-grip member's "hook" part of
a hook-and-loop for coupling with a back-panel member.

[0010]FIG. 6 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 2; however, this figure also
shows an example of the engagement of one of the finger-grip members with
four fingers of a user hand.

[0011]FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a set of variously sized and
shaped back-panel coupling members and a set of variously sized
finger-grip members that might be contained in a kit to facilitate a
user's ability to assemble and install a securement apparatus on the back
of a user-selected personal, tablet-shaped device. These depicted sets
are not intended to limit the number and various sizes and shapes of such
components that could be included in such a kit. In addition, this figure
also shows two examples of a user-adjustable finger-grip aperture (see
items 4A).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0012] The present disclosure is directed generally to a securement device
to make it much easier for a user to securely hold onto a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader (for
example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), and even just
a common clipboard--while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the
user's hands. A typical embodiment of the present inventive disclosure
solves this problem by providing a system of one or more finger holds
formed with a fabric or pliable material (e.g., polypropylene, nylon,
neoprene, cloth, vinyl, rubber, elastomeric material, etc.) that are
disposed on the back side of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device.

[0013] Taking a Kindle® e-reader in one embodiment, the e-reader has
an attached mat of one side of a hook-and-loop coupler (usually, this
would be the "loop" part) to the back side of the e-reader. This mat
could be one large mat, or a plurality of strips or patches of matting.
In any event, a user can attach to that mat one or more finger-grip
members by way of the matching part of the hook-and-loop coupler. Each
finger-grip member can have multiple apertures for receiving a user
finger, with the apertures in each finger-grip member generally aligned
in parallel with each other. The apertures are generally formed by
intermittent secure attachment of a pliable and elastic material to a
substrate adapted for detachable coupling with the aforementioned
matting, thus forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and being
adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along the
substrate adapted to detachably couple to the back-side the tablet-shaped
device (e-reader).

[0014] In a variation for this e-reader example, there are two finger-grip
members, each having four apertures designed to receive the four digits
(excluding the thumb) on each of the user's hands. Because each
finger-grip member is easily detachable (via the hook-and-loop coupling),
each finger-grip member can be positioned any way a user finds more
convenient. A user can even decide to employ only one of the finger-grip
members.

[0015] In other embodiments, the finger-grip member can be attached on
either of its longitudinal sides via the hook-and-loop coupling. In still
other embodiments, the basic principle underlying the above-described
embodiments could be applied to even cell phones, where perhaps there is
only a single finger-grip member and that finger-grip member has only one
or two apertures for receiving a user finger (or perhaps two user
fingers) to help a user hold onto his or her cell phone while walking and
doing various activities.

[0016] In still more embodiments, the securement device is built into, or
installed onto, the back side of a protective cover that is designed to
receive a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. Such protective
covers (or sometimes referred to in the art as "skins") can be made of
plastic, rubber, silicone, or some other suitable material that can
provide shock absorption and/or scratch resistance protection for the
generally encased personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device.

[0017] Of course, a secondary use of the back-side-mounted mat on the
tablet-shaped device is to mount the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device on any surface that happens to have a mating part of a
hook-and-loop coupling.

Terminology

[0018] The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (" ") in this section
are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology
section applied to them throughout this document, including the claims,
unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable,
the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's
case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or
phrase.

[0019] The term "or", as used in this specification and the appended
claims, is not meant to be exclusive; rather, the term is inclusive,
meaning "either or both".

[0020] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "a preferred embodiment", "an alternative embodiment", "a
variation", "one variation", and similar phrases mean that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" and/or "in one variation"
and similar phrases in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.

[0021] The term "couple" or "coupled", as used in this specification and
the appended claims, refers to either an indirect or a direct connection
between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner
of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the
two coupled elements interact.

[0022] The term "removable", "removably coupled", "readily removable",
"readily detachable", and similar terms, as used in this patent
application specification (including the claims and drawings), refer to
structures that can be uncoupled from an adjoining structure with
relative ease (i.e., non-destructively and without a complicated or
time-consuming process) and that can also be readily reattached or
coupled to the previously adjoining structure.

[0023] Directional and/or relational terms such as, but not limited to,
left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front,
and lateral are relative to each other, are dependent on the specific
orientation of an applicable element or article, are used accordingly to
aid in the description of the various embodiments, and are not
necessarily intended to be construed as limiting in this specification
and the appended claims.

[0024] As applicable, the terms "about" or "generally", as used herein
unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of +-20%. Also, as applicable,
the term "substantially" as used herein unless otherwise indicated means
a margin of +-10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above
terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

[0025] The terms "a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device" and "a
personal tablet-shaped Device", as used in this specification and the
appended claims, generically refers to any substantially tablet-shaped
personal hand-held electronic device such as an electronic reader (for
example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, and a personal data assistant (PDA). In
alternative embodiments, term "a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device" can also refer to a common clipboard.

First Embodiment

An Ergonomic User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a Personal Tablet-Shaped
Device

[0026] This embodiment is directed generally to an ergonomic
user-hand-engagement apparatus for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device designed to enable a user to easily and securely hold onto a
personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader
(for example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, or even just a plain old clipboard--while
minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0027] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. A typical embodiment of the present inventive
disclosure solves this problem by providing a system of one or more
finger-grip members 3 formed with a fabric or pliable material that is
comprised of polypropylene, nylon, neoprene, cloth, vinyl, rubber, or
other suitable materials, wherein the finger-grip members 3 are
detachably coupled to a the back panel of the personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device 5 by way of a detachable coupling with one or more
back-panel members 2, which in turn are securely attached to the back
panel of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device 5. Hereinafter,
for exemplary purposes only, the term "personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device" 5 will be substituted with "e-reader" 5; however, one skilled in
the art would appreciate that myriad similarly shaped devices can be used
with the ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus described herein, and
therefore are contemplated to be encompassed by this embodiment.

[0028] In an embodiment, the e-reader 5 has an attached mat 2 (the
back-panel coupling member 2) of one side of a hook-and-loop coupler
(usually, this would be the "loop" part to aid in user comfort when
handling the e-reader 5, and protect surfaces upon which the e-reader 5
might be laid) to the back side of the e-reader 5. This mat 2 could be
one large mat, or a plurality of strips or patches of matting of various
sizes and shapes that allow the back-panel coupling device 2 to be
adapted to the topography of the back of the e-reader 5. In many
variations, the mat 2 is attached to the back panel of the e-reader 5
using an adhesive medium.

[0029] In an embodiment, a user can attach to the mat 2 one or more
finger-grip members 3 by way of the matching part of the hook-and-loop
coupler. Each finger-grip member 3 can have one or more apertures 4 for
receiving a user finger 6, with the apertures 4 in each finger-grip
member 3 generally aligned in parallel with each other. In a variation,
there are two finger-grip members 3, each having four apertures 4
designed to receive the four digits (excluding the thumb) on each of the
user's hands 6. A user would have the option of engaging the e-reader 5
with one or both of the user's hands 6 with a respective finger-grip
member 3. Because each finger-grip member 3 is easily detachable (via the
hook-and-loop coupling), each finger-grip member 3 can be positioned on
the back-panel coupling member 2 any way a user finds more convenient. A
user can even decide to employ only one of the finger-grip members 3. In
various embodiments, each finger-grip member 3 is comprised of a fabric
or pliable material such as of polypropylene webbing, nylon, neoprene,
cloth, terry cloth, vinyl, rubber, or other suitable materials, wherein
the finger-receiving apertures 4 are formed by sewing or otherwise
securely attaching (e.g., thermoplastic welding, adhesives, etc.)
intermittent portions of the finger-grip aperture 4 material to the
substrate that comprises the back-panel coupling surface on the side of
the substrate opposite of the finger-grip apertures 4, thus forming a
substantially sinusoidal wave shape with the finger-receiving aperture
material.

[0030] In other variations of this embodiment, the detachable coupling
scheme between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the finger-grip
member(s) 3 can be by way of using mechanical snaps or magnetic coupling,
wherein, obviously, both the back-panel coupling member and the
finger-grip member(s) 3 would have to have the appropriate hardware built
into them to support either of those coupling schemes.

[0031] In still other embodiments, the finger-grip member 3 can be
attached to the back-panel coupling member 2 using either of the
finger-grip member's 3 longitudinal sides via the coupling scheme used
for the apparatus, discussed supra.

[0032] In some variations, the finger-grip member(s) 3 have
size-adjustable finger-receiving apertures 4 so that a user can adjust
the fit to the user's inserted finger(s) 6 to the user's preference and
comfort. For example, in one such variation, one or more of the
finger-receiving apertures 4 is a small strap that can be coupled at
various lengths at least one end of the small strap to the substrate of
the finger-grip member 3. In some other embodiments, the finger-grip
apertures 4 are adapted to snuggly fit onto one or more inserted user
fingers 6, wherein the material used to form the finger-grip aperture(s)
4 is elastic in nature and sized slightly smaller than the diameter of a
targeted user's finger.

[0033] In more embodiments, the basic principle underlying the
above-described embodiments could be applied to relatively small
personal, tablet-shaped, electronic devices 5 such as cell phones,
wherein in an embodiment there is only a single finger-grip member 3 and
that finger-rip member 3 has only one or two apertures 4 for receiving a
user finger 6 (or, in a variation, perhaps two user fingers) to help a
user hold onto his or her cell phone 5 while walking and doing various
activities.

[0034] In yet other variations, the basic principle underlying the
above-described embodiments could be applied to non-electronic, personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped devices 5 such as clip boards and other types of
notebooks.

[0035] As a result of adding the apparatus described supra to a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device, a new and improved device 1 is formed to
minimize the chance of a user inadvertently dropping his or her device
and damaging it.

[0036] In still more embodiments, the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device 5 incorporates a partially encasing protective covering (sometimes
referred to in the art as "skins") made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or
some other similar material, and the ergonomic user-hand-engagement
apparatus 1 described herein is installed on the exterior side of the
protective cover that substantially covers the back panel of the
personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device 5. Such protective coverings
typically provide scratch resistance and/or shock absorption for the
devices when dropped, mishandled, etc., while still having openings in
the protective covering to allow a user to access controls and see the
display screen; hence, such coverings are referred to herein as
"partially encasing" the associated personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device 5. In a variant of this embodiment, the back-panel coupling member
2 of the securement device is built into/formed within the back side of a
protective cover that is designed to receive a personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device 5.

[0037] Of course, a secondary use of the back-side-mounted mat 2 (that is,
the back-panel coupling member 2) on the personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device 5 is to mount the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device 5 on any surface that happens to have an effective mating part of
a coupling scheme, discussed supra. For example, in a variation, the
"loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling scheme is disposed on the back
panel of an e-reader 5 such that the e-reader 5 could be detachably
mounted on any surface that can serve as the "hook" part of the
hook-and-loop coupling.

Second Embodiment

An Ergonomic User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a Personal Tablet-Shaped
Device

[0038] This embodiment is directed generally to an ergonomic
user-hand-engagement apparatus for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device designed to enable a user to easily and securely hold onto a
personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader
(for example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, or even just a common--while minimizing the
fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0039] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to an apparatus for
holding a personal tablet-shaped device 5 in a user's hand 6, wherein the
personal tablet-shaped device 5 has a substantially planar portion on its
back surface. The apparatus comprises:

[0040] a back-panel coupling
member 2 configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface
of a personal tablet-shaped device 5; and

[0041] at least one finger-grip
member 3 configured for detachable coupling to the back-panel coupling
member 2, wherein the at least one finger-grip member 3 can be detachably
coupled to the back-panel coupling member 2 in a user-specified
orientation relative to the substantially planar back surface of a
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0042] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at the least
one finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group consisting of
hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.

[0043] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0044] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0045] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0046] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0047] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to
snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; each at least
one looped aperture 4 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each
at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to the
substantially planar back surface of the personal tablet-shaped device 5;
and said snuggly engagement allows a user to securely hold the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 without a user having to consciously grip the
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0048] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0049] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to be
adjustably fitted to a user finger 6. In a further variation of this, at
least one said finger-grip member 3 looped aperture 4 is defined by a
strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point along the strap
4A to the finger-grip member 3; that strap of material 4A has a "hook"
part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and that strap of material 4A
can be made into a variable-sized aperture 4 by detachably coupling a
portion of the "loop" part of the strap 4A to a portion of the "hook"
part of the strap 4A.

[0050] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0051] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the apparatus 1 is
adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device 5 selected
from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet
computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.

[0052] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the apparatus 1 is
adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device 5 that is at
least partially encased within a protective covering. In some variations,
such a protective covering is substantially comprised of a material
selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone,
though other suitable elastic materials could also be used.

[0053] In still other variations, the back-panel coupling member 2 is
configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a
personal tablet-shaped device 5 by being incorporated into the structure
of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Third Embodiment

A Method of Making an Ergonomic User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a
Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0054] This embodiment is directed generally to a method of making an
ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus for a personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device, designed to enable a user to easily and securely
hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an
electronic reader (for example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble
Nook®, and the Sony eReader®), a tablet computing device (for
example the Apple iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an
ever-expanding market), a cellular phone, or even just a common
clipboard--while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's
hands.

[0055] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method of
making an apparatus for holding a personal tablet-shaped device 5 in a
user's hand 6, wherein the personal tablet-shaped device 5 has a
substantially planar portion on its back surface. The method comprises
the steps of:

[0056] Providing a back-panel coupling member 2
configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface of a
personal tablet-shaped device 5; and

[0057] Providing at least one
finger-grip member 3 configured for detachable coupling to the back-panel
coupling member 2, wherein the at least one finger-grip member 3 can be
detachably coupled to the back-panel coupling member 2 in a
user-specified orientation relative to the substantially planar back
surface of a personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0058] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group consisting of
hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.

[0059] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0060] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0061] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0062] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0063] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to
snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; each at least
one looped aperture 4 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each
at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to the
substantially planar back surface of the personal tablet-shaped device 5;
and said snuggly engagement allows a user to securely hold the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 without a user having to consciously grip the
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0064] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0065] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to be
adjustably fitted to a user finger 6. In a further variation of this, at
least one said finger-grip member 3 looped aperture 4 is defined by a
strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point along the strap
4A to the finger-grip member 3; that strap of material 4A has a "hook"
part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and the strap 4A can be made
into a variable-sized aperture 4 by detachably coupling a portion of the
"loop" part of the strap 4A to a portion of the "hook" part of the strap
4A.

[0066] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0067] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the apparatus 1 is
adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device 5 selected
from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet
computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.

[0068] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the apparatus 1 is
adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device 5 that is at
least partially encased within a protective covering. In some variations,
such a protective covering is substantially comprised of a material
selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone,
though other suitable elastic materials could also be used.

[0069] In still other variations, the back-panel coupling member 2 is
configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a
personal tablet-shaped device 5 by being incorporated into the structure
of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Fourth Embodiment

A Method of Using an Ergonomic User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a
Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0070] This embodiment is directed generally to a method of using an
ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus for a personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device according to either the first or Second Embodiments,
described supra, wherein the apparatus is designed to enable a user to
easily and securely hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device
such as an electronic reader (for example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes &
Noble Nook®, and the Sony eReader®), a tablet computing device
(for example the Apple iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in
an ever-expanding market), a cellular phone, or even just a common
clipboard--while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's
hands.

[0071] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method of using
an apparatus 1 according to the First Embodiment or the Second
Embodiment, described supra, in a user's hand 6. The method comprises the
steps of:

[0072] Obtaining a personal tablet-shaped device 5 equipped
with an apparatus 1 for securely holding the personal tablet-shaped
device 5 in a user's hand 6 according to the First Embodiment or the
Second Embodiment, described supra;

[0073] Inserting at least one finger
of the user's hand 6 into one of said at least one looped apertures 4
disposed within the at least one finger-grip members 3; and

[0075] This embodiment can be further enhanced by further comprising the
step of adjusting the placement of the back-panel coupling member 2
according to the user's preference.

[0076] This embodiment can be enhanced wherein the step for inserting at
least one finger of the user's hand 6 is applied to the user's right
hand, as inserted into a first finger-grip member 3, and is applied to
the user's left hand 6, as inserted into a second finger-grip member 3.

[0077] This embodiment can be enhanced by further comprising the step of,
before the inserting step, adjusting the position of at least one
finger-grip member 3 on the back-panel coupling member 2 according to the
user's preference and comfort.

[0078] This embodiment can be further enhanced by further comprising the
step of adjusting the fit of at least one finger-grip member 3 looped
aperture 4 over at least one user finger 6.

[0079] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is selected from the group consisting of
e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants,
and clipboards.

Fifth Embodiment

A Kit for Assembling and Installing an Ergonomic User-Hand-Engagement
Apparatus for a Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0080] This embodiment is directed generally to a kit for assembling and
installing an ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus onto a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device designed to enable a user to easily and
securely hold onto the target personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device
such as an electronic reader (for example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes &
Noble Nook®, and the Sony eReader®), a tablet computing device
(for example the Apple iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in
an ever-expanding market), a cellular phone, or even just a common--while
minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0081] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a kit for
assembling an apparatus 1 according to the First or Second Embodiments,
described supra, for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device 5
in a user's hand, the personal tablet-shaped device 5 having a
substantially planar portion on its back surface. The kit comprises:

[0082] a plurality of variously sized and shaped pieces of matting 2 (see
FIG. 7) for assembling a back-panel coupling member 2 to be installed on
a substantially planar back surface of a user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5, wherein the matting pieces 2 have a first side
that can be adhesively attached to the substantially planar back surface
of the user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5, the matting pieces
2 have a second side adapted to be detachably coupled to at least one
finger-grip member 3, and the diversity of the variously sized and shaped
pieces of matting 2 is such that a subset of those pieces of matting 2
can be assembled and installed on the substantially planar back surface
of a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5 by a user to provide
an effective coupling surface for the at least one finger-grip member 3;
and

[0083] a plurality of finger-grip members 3 (see FIG. 7) adapted to
be detachably coupled to a back-panel coupling member 2 installed on a
user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5, wherein the plurality of
finger-grip members 3 are provided in various sizes to facilitate a
user's ability to select one or more properly sized finger-grip members 3
for attachment to the back-panel coupling member 2, and each of the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 is adapted to be detachably coupled to
the back-panel coupling member 2 in a user-specified orientation relative
to the substantially planar back surface of the user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5.

[0084] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group
consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and
magnetic coupling.

[0085] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling,
the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's 2 detachable
coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling, and the
user-selected finger-grip members' 3 detachable coupling surface is the
"hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0086] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling,
the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's 2 detachable
coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling, and the
user-selected finger-grip members' 3 detachable coupling surface is the
"loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0087] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each of the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 has at least one looped aperture 4
adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; when
any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is attached to a back-panel
coupling member 2 assembled and installed on a user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5, each at least one looped aperture 4 on each
user-selected finger-grip member 3 is oriented such that the longitudinal
axis of each at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to
the substantially planar back surface of the user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5; and the snuggly engagement allows a user to
securely hold the user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5 without a
user having to consciously grip the user-selected personal tablet-shaped
device 5.

[0088] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0089] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each of the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 has at least one looped aperture 4
adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger 6.

[0090] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 on each of the plurality of finger-grip members 3 is
defined by a strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point
along the strap 4A to the respective finger-grip member 3 substrate; the
strap of material 4A has a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one
side, and has a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other
side; and the strap of material 4A can be made into a variable-sized
aperture 4 by detachably coupling a portion of the "loop" part of the
strap 4A to a portion of the "hook" part of the strap 4A.

[0091] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0092] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the kit is adapted
for a user to assemble and install a securement apparatus on a plurality
of variously sized personal tablet-shaped devices selected from the group
consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data
assistants, and clipboards.

[0093] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the kit is adapted
to facilitate the assembly of an apparatus 1 for a user to hold a
personal tablet-shaped device 5 that is at least partially encased within
a protective covering. In other variations, the protective covering is
substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting
of plastic, rubber, and silicone, though other suitable elastic materials
can be used.

[0094] In still other variations, the matting pieces 2 that comprise the
back-panel coupling member 2 are configured for attachment to a
substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device 5 by
being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is
adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Sixth Embodiment

A Method of Making a Kit for Assembling and Installing an Ergonomic
User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0095] This embodiment is directed generally to a method for making kit
for assembling and installing an ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus
onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device designed to enable a
user to easily and securely hold onto the target personal, hand-held,
tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader (for example, Amazon
Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony eReader®), a
tablet computing device (for example the Apple iPad®, Google
Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding market), a cellular
phone, or even just a common--while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort
on the user's hands.

[0096] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method for
making a kit for assembling an apparatus 1 according to the First or
Second Embodiments, described supra, for securely holding a personal
tablet-shaped device 5 in a user's hand, the personal tablet-shaped
device 5 having a substantially planar portion on its back surface. The
method comprises the steps of:

[0097] Providing a plurality of
variously sized and shaped pieces of matting 2 (see FIG. 7) for
assembling a back-panel coupling member 2 to be installed on a
substantially planar back surface of a user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5, wherein the matting pieces 2 have a first side
that can be adhesively attached to the substantially planar back surface
of the user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5, the matting pieces
2 have a second side adapted to be detachably coupled to at least one
finger-grip member 3, and the diversity of the variously sized and shaped
pieces of matting 2 is such that a subset of those pieces of matting 2
can be assembled and installed on the substantially planar back surface
of a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5 by a user to provide
an effective coupling surface for the at least one finger-grip member 3;
and

[0098] Providing a plurality of finger-grip members 3 (see FIG. 7)
adapted to be detachably coupled to a back-panel coupling member 2
installed on a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5, wherein the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 are provided in various sizes to
facilitate a user's ability to select one or more properly sized
finger-grip members 3 for attachment to the back-panel coupling member 2,
and each of the plurality of finger-grip members 3 is adapted to be
detachably coupled to the back-panel coupling member 2 in a
user-specified orientation relative to the substantially planar back
surface of the user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0099] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group
consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and
magnetic coupling.

[0100] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling,
the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's 2 detachable
coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling, and the
user-selected finger-grip members' 3 detachable coupling surface is the
"hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0101] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member 2
and any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling,
the assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's 2 detachable
coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling, and the
user-selected finger-grip members' 3 detachable coupling surface is the
"loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0102] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each of the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 has at least one looped aperture 4
adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; when
any user-selected finger-grip member 3 is attached to a back-panel
coupling member 2 assembled and installed on a user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5, each at least one looped aperture 4 on each
user-selected finger-grip member 3 is oriented such that the longitudinal
axis of each at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to
the substantially planar back surface of the user-selected personal
tablet-shaped device 5; and the snuggly engagement allows a user to
securely hold the user-selected personal tablet-shaped device 5 without a
user having to consciously grip the user-selected personal tablet-shaped
device 5.

[0103] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0104] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each of the
plurality of finger-grip members 3 has at least one looped aperture 4
adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger 6.

[0105] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 on each of the plurality of finger-grip members 3 is
defined by a strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point
along the strap 4A to the respective finger-grip member 3 substrate; the
strap of material 4A has a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one
side, and has a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side
4A; and the strap of material 4A can be made into a variable-sized
aperture 4 by detachably coupling a portion of the "loop" part of the
strap 4A to a portion of the "hook" part of the strap 4A.

[0106] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0107] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the kit is adapted
for a user to assemble and install a securement apparatus on a plurality
of variously sized personal tablet-shaped devices selected from the group
consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data
assistants, and clipboards.

[0108] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the kit is adapted
to facilitate the assembly of an apparatus 1 for a user to hold a
personal tablet-shaped device 5 that is at least partially encased within
a protective covering. In other variations, the protective covering is
substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting
of plastic, rubber, and silicone, though other suitable elastic materials
can be used.

[0109] In still other variations, the matting pieces 2 that comprise the
back-panel coupling member 2 are configured for attachment to a
substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device 5 by
being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is
adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Seventh Embodiment

A Method of Using a Kit for Assembling and Installing an Ergonomic
User-Hand-Engagement Apparatus for a Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0110] This embodiment is directed generally to a method of using a kit
for assembling and installing an ergonomic user-hand-engagement apparatus
for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device according to either the
first or Second Embodiments, described supra, wherein the apparatus is
designed to enable a user to easily and securely hold onto a personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader (for
example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, or even just a common clipboard--while
minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0111] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method of using
a kit for assembling an apparatus 1 for securely holding a personal
tablet-shaped device 5, according to the First Embodiment or the Second
Embodiment, described supra, in a user's hand 6. The method comprises the
steps of:

[0112] Obtaining a kit according to the Fifth Embodiment,
described supra;

[0114] Selecting at
least one piece of said matting 2 (see FIG. 7) of compatible size and
shape to affix to the back panel of the target personal tablet-shaped
device 5, then affixing said at least one piece of matting 2 to said back
panel 5;

[0115] Selecting at least one finger-grip member 3 (see FIG. 7)
of compatible size for effective detachable coupling to the installed
matting 2, wherein each selected finger-grip member 3 has a
user-specified number of finger-receiving apertures 4; and

[0116]
Coupling the at least one finger-grip member 3 to the installed matting 2
at a user-specified orientation relative to the back panel of the target
personal tablet-shaped device 5;

[0117] This embodiment can be enhanced by further comprising the steps of:

[0118] Inserting at least one finger of the user's hand 6 into at least
one of the user-selected finger-grip members' 3 apertures 4; and

[0120] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the target personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is selected from the group consisting of
e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants,
and clipboards.

Eighth Embodiment

A Securement-Enhanced, Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0121] This embodiment is directed generally to a securement-enhanced,
personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device designed to enable a user to
easily and securely hold onto the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped
device such as an electronic reader (for example, Amazon Kindle®,
Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony eReader®), a tablet computing
device (for example the Apple iPad®, Google Android®, and many
others in an ever-expanding market), a cellular phone, or even just a
common--while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0122] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a
securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device 1 in a user's hand 6,
wherein the personal tablet-shaped device 5 has a substantially planar
portion on its back surface. The device 1 comprises:

[0123] a personal
tablet-shaped device 5 having a substantially planar portion on its back
surface;

[0124] a back-panel coupling member 2 attached to the
substantially planar back surface on the personal tablet-shaped device 5;
and

[0125] at least one finger-grip member 3 detachably coupled to the
back-panel coupling member 2, wherein at least one finger-grip member 3
can be detachably coupled to the back-panel coupling member 2 in a
user-specified orientation relative to the substantially planar back
surface of the personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0126] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at the least
one finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group consisting of
hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.

[0127] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0128] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0129] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0130] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0131] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to
snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; each at least
one looped aperture 4 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each
at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to the
substantially planar back surface of the personal tablet-shaped device 5;
and said snuggly engagement allows a user to securely hold the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 without a user having to consciously grip the
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0132] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0133] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to be
adjustably fitted to a user finger 6. In a further variation of this, at
least one said finger-grip member 3 looped aperture 4 is defined by a
strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point along the strap
4A to the finger-grip member 3; that strap of material 4A has a "hook"
part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and that strap of material 4A
can be made into a variable-sized aperture 4 by detachably coupling a
portion of the "loop" part of the strap 4A to a portion of the "hook"
part of the strap 4A.

[0134] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0135] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is selected from the group consisting of
e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants,
and clipboards.

[0136] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is at least partially encased within a protective
covering, including the substantially planar portion on the back surface
of the personal tablet-shaped device 5. In other variations, this
protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected
from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone, though other
suitable elastic materials may be used.

[0137] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is configured for attachment to a substantially planar
back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device 5 by being incorporated
into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to
substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Ninth Embodiment

A Method of Making a Securement-Enhanced, Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0138] This embodiment is directed generally to a method of making a
securement-enhanced, personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device designed
to enable a user to easily and securely hold onto the personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader (for
example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, or even just a common--while minimizing the
fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0139] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method of
making a securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device 1 in a user's
hand 6, wherein the personal tablet-shaped device 5 has a substantially
planar portion on its back surface. The method comprises the steps of:

[0140] Providing a personal tablet-shaped device 5 having a substantially
planar portion on its back surface;

[0141] Providing a back-panel
coupling member 2 attached to the substantially planar back surface on
the personal tablet-shaped device 5; and

[0142] Providing at least one
finger-grip member 3 detachably coupled to the back-panel coupling member
2, wherein at least one finger-grip member 3 can be detachably coupled to
the back-panel coupling member 2 in a user-specified orientation relative
to the substantially planar back surface of the personal tablet-shaped
device 5.

[0143] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at the least
one finger-grip member 3 is selected from the group consisting of
hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.

[0144] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0145] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "loop" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0146] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the detachable
coupling between the back-panel coupling member 2 and the at least one
finger-grip member 3 is a hook-and-loop coupling; the back-panel coupling
member's 2 detachable coupling surface is the "hook" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling; and the at least one finger-grip member's 3
detachable coupling surface is the "loop" part of a hook-and-loop
coupling.

[0147] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, which
can be various shaped and sized to accommodate the topology of the back
panel of the targeted personal tablet-shaped device, each piece of which
can act as a "hook" part of a hook-and-loop coupling.

[0148] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to
snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand 6; each at least
one looped aperture 4 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each
at least one looped aperture 4 is substantially parallel to the
substantially planar back surface of the personal tablet-shaped device 5;
and said snuggly engagement allows a user to securely hold the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 without a user having to consciously grip the
personal tablet-shaped device 5.

[0149] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each looped
aperture 4 is adapted to receive only one user finger 6.

[0150] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein each at least one
finger-grip member 3 has at least one looped aperture 4 adapted to be
adjustably fitted to a user finger 6. In a further variation of this, at
least one said finger-grip member 3 looped aperture 4 is defined by a
strap of material 4A that is fixedly coupled at a point along the strap
4A to the finger-grip member 3; that strap 4A of material has a "hook"
part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a "loop" part of a
hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and that strap of material 4A
can be made into a variable-sized aperture 4 by detachably coupling a
portion of the "loop" part of the strap 4A to a portion of the "hook"
part of the strap 4A.

[0151] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the at least one
looped aperture 4 is substantially comprised of an elastic material.

[0152] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is selected from the group consisting of
e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants,
and clipboards.

[0153] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is at least partially encased within a protective
covering, including the substantially planar portion on the back surface
of the personal tablet-shaped device 5. In other variations, this
protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected
from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone, though other
suitable elastic materials may be used.

[0154] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the back-panel
coupling member 2 is configured for attachment to a substantially planar
back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device 5 by being incorporated
into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to
substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device 5.

Tenth Embodiment

A Method of Using a Securement-Enhanced, Personal Tablet-Shaped Device

[0155] This embodiment is directed generally to a method of using a
securement-enhanced, personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device designed
to enable a user to easily and securely hold onto the personal,
hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader (for
example, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook®, and the Sony
eReader®), a tablet computing device (for example the Apple
iPad®, Google Android®, and many others in an ever-expanding
market), a cellular phone, or even just a common--while minimizing the
fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands.

[0156] Refer to FIGS. 1-7. The embodiment is directed to a method of using
a securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device 1 in a user's hand
6. The method comprises the steps of:

[0157] Obtaining a personal
tablet-shaped device equipped with an apparatus for securely holding the
personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand according to the Eighth
embodiment, described supra;

[0158] Inserting at least one finger of the
user's hand 6 into one of said at least one looped apertures 4 disposed
within the at least one finger-grip members 3; and

[0160] This embodiment can be further enhanced by further comprising the
step of adjusting the placement of the back-panel coupling member 2
according to the user's preference.

[0161] This embodiment can be enhanced wherein the step for inserting at
least one finger of the user's hand 6 is applied to the user's right
hand, as inserted into a first finger-grip member 3, and is applied to
the user's left hand 6, as inserted into a second finger-grip member 3.

[0162] This embodiment can be enhanced by further comprising the step of,
before the inserting step, adjusting the position of at least one
finger-grip member 3 on the back-panel coupling member 2 according to the
user's preference and comfort.

[0163] This embodiment can be further enhanced by further comprising the
step of adjusting the fit of at least one finger-grip member 3 looped
aperture 4 over at least one user finger 6.

[0164] This embodiment can be further enhanced wherein the personal
tablet-shaped device 5 is selected from the group consisting of
e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants,
and clipboards.

Alternative Embodiments and Other Variations

[0165] The various embodiments and variations thereof described herein
and/or illustrated in the accompanying Figures are merely exemplary and
are not meant to limit the scope of the inventive disclosure. It should
be appreciated that numerous variations of the invention have been
contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with
the benefit of this disclosure.

[0166] Hence, those ordinarily skilled in the art will have no difficulty
devising myriad obvious variations and improvements to the invention, all
of which are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the
description and figures herein.